Improvement in game boards



0. H. RICHMOND.

Game-Boards.

Patented Feb. 10,1874.

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UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIGE.

OLNEY n. RICHMOND, or PIERSON TOWNSHIP, MONTCALM oonnrr, Mien.

IMPROVEMENT IN cAME BoARoe.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 141431, dated February 10,1874; application filed January 2, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OLNEY H. RICHMOND, of the township of Pierson, county of Montcalm and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Games, called by me Winter Croquet; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon, and the same are made a part of this specification.

The nature of my invention consists in a may be varied in size or in the number ofsquares to suit the taste or convenience of the user. At each corner of the board several of the small squares are painted, so as to give the appearance of four large squares, b b, one at or near each corner of the board. Each of these large squares b b is painted of a different color, the object being to designate the color of the ball or stake of each player. At the center of each small square is a hole, 0, to receive the pin, when the pins are constructed in the form shown in the drawings; but, instead of using the pins constructed asshown, small balls or even blocks may be used; but I deem the pins with round heads the most convenient and in every way preferable.

The wickets c and stakes fare arranged in the same manner as the ordinary outdoor croquet, and their positions may be varied on different boards. The squares on the board being small, I deem it advisable on each board to paint or color certain of the squares m, which I call position-squares, so as to designate what line will pass through the wickets or strike the stakes.

In the drawing I have shown the colored squares so arranged as to form oblique lines,

9, passing through the wickets c and to the stakes f,and round colored spots it, running in direct lines through the wickets, as fully shown. The board shown in the drawings is designed to be used by two or four players. In case of four players, one is stationed at each corner of the board, each having a pin of the same color as his corner large square b. The first player places the pin in the square to or a, as he prefers. He then throws the dice, and is entitled to move the pin as many holes or squares in any direction as the dice presents spots on its upper surface. If this carries the pin through a wicket, he is entitled to another throw, and moves the pin accordingly; if not, then the second player places his ball or pin, throws the dice, and moves the pin, as above described. If the second player can move the pin so as to strike the point occupied by the pin of the first player he can then place his pin in any square adjoining the pin of the first player, again throw the dice and remove the pin of the first player in any direction as many squares as he has thrown dice, and then the second player will be entitled to another throw. Thus the game proceeds, following substantially the rules of field croquet, the main difference being that all moves are conducted by the throw of the dice, as above described, the game being to 1 pass through all the wickets to the stake farthest from the place of beginning, and re turn to the home-stake.

Having thus described my iuventi on, I claim to have invented, and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. The game-board for croquet, provided with stakes and wickets, and laid off into squares c, substantially as described and shown, and for the purpose set forth.

2. A game-board for croquet, having squares c, as described, and provided with the additional position-squares m, as set forth.

3. I11 combination with a parlor game-board, constructed as described, the pins, Fig.2, sub stantially as and for the purpose set forth.

OLNEY H. RICHMOND.

Witnesses:

OMAR H. Srnonns, CHARLES A. BENWICK. 

